Dracaena plant named ‘KKDR201204’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘KKDR201204’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known  Dracaena reflexa  cultivars. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena reflexa.

Variety denomination: ‘KKDR201204’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new variety originated as a naturally occurring mutation, whole plant of the unpatented ‘Song of India’ variety of Dracaena reflexa.

The new variety was first discovered by the inventor, Kanchana Khemakongkanond, a citizen of Thailand, in February of 2005, in a nursery in Bangkok, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘KKDR201204’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201204’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at the same nursery in Bangkok, Thailand during July of 2005. Subsequently at least three generations have been produced from vegetative cuttings, and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘KKDR201204’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘KKDR201204’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘KKDR201204’ as a new and distinct Dracaena cultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive foliage variegation pattern.     -   2. Outwardly facing foliage on a strong stem.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201204’ are similar to the unpatented ‘Song of India’ parent in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces broader and thicker leaves with a yellow coloration, whereas the parent produces green leaves. Also ‘KKDR201204’ has a longer internode length than ‘Song of India’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The parent variety is the most similar commercial comparison.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘KKDR201204’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 months old, shown planted in a 12 cm. container. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘KKDR201204’ plants grown according to the following protocols.

Plants were grown in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands, under greenhouse conditions, with temperatures ranging approximately from 25° C. to 36° C. during the day and 17° C. to 25° C. at night with natural sunlight. Measurements and numerical values below represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena reflexa ‘KKDR201204’.

PROPAGATION

-   Propagation details: -   Time to initiate rooting: About 6 weeks at approximately 25° C. to     28° C. -   Root description: Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not fleshy,     young roots cream-white, older roots Greyed-Orange 163D.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 6 months. -   Pot size of plant described: 17 cm circular pot. -   Growth habit: Upright. -   Height: Approximately 24.0 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 42.5 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate, approximately 10 cm per month. -   Branching characteristics: Not free branching, typically growing     with one main stem from the base. Will only develop lateral branches     after pinching or pruning. -   Diameter of stem: Approximately 0.6 cm. -   Internode length: Average 1.4 cm. -   Texture of stem: Smooth, dull. -   Color of stem: Yellow-green; near RHS 137C, part just above leaf     near RHS 145C and 145D, both colors present. -   Stem strength: Very strong. -   Number of leaves per stem: Average 30.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (spirally).         -   Average length.—Approximately 11.7 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 1.9 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Lorate.         -   Aspect.—Leaves in an average angle of 50° to main stem             (=0°), tips slightly curved downward in an average angle of             200° to horizontal)(=0°).         -   Apex.—Pungent (not sharp to the touch).         -   Base.—Broad cuneate.         -   Attachment.—Sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, slightly glossy.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, dull. -   Color:     -   -   Young foliage upper side.—Green; in between near RHS N137B             and 143A, both colors present, broadly margined and             irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green; near RHS Ni44B.         -   Young foliage under side.—Green to yellow-green; in between             near RHS 137C and 147B, both colors present, broadly             margined and irregular striped (axial) Yellow-green; near             RHS N144D.         -   Mature foliage upper side.—Green; near RHS N137C, broadly             margined Yellow to Greyed-yellow; near RHS 11C and 160D,             both colors present, and irregular striped (axial)             Greyed-green; near RHS 191A and 191B, both colors present.         -   Mature foliage under side.—Green to Greyed-green; in between             near RHS 138C and 191A, both colors present, broadly             margined Yellow to Greyed-yellow; near RHS 11C and 160D,             both colors present. -   Venation:     -   -   Type.—Parallel.         -   Color.—Upperside: As leaf blade. Underside: Main veins             Green; near RHS 137A, other veins as leaf blade. -   Sheath:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Green; near RHS 138A and 138B both colors present.         -   Texture.—Smooth, slightly glossy.         -   Other distinguishing characteristics.—No.

FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flowering not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Good resistance to the normal diseases found in     Dracaena. -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Normal for species, USDA zone     10 and higher. -   Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘KKDR201204’ as herein illustrated and described. 